Insights Jan 2018 Current Affairs

129 Pages·2017·7.29 MB·English

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INSIGHTSIAS
SIMPLIFYING IAS EXAM PREPARATION

CURRENT AFFAIRS

JANUARY 2018
© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING
IAS SELF STUDY GUIDE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GS PAPER - I ___________________________________________________________________________ 9
Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to
modern times. _______________________________________________________________________________ 9
1. Jangalmahal Utsab __________________________________________________________________________________ 9
2. Jal Mahotsav _______________________________________________________________________________________ 9
3. 26th World Book Fair ________________________________________________________________________________ 9
4. Medaram’s Jatara___________________________________________________________________________________ 9
5. Flamingo festival __________________________________________________________________________________ 10
6. Madhubani paintings _______________________________________________________________________________ 11
7. National Youth Festival _____________________________________________________________________________ 11
8. Indian harvest festivals _____________________________________________________________________________ 12
9. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2018 ___________________________________________________________________ 12
10. Purandara Dasa __________________________________________________________________________________ 13
11. INTACH to document heritage sites along Mahanadi river ________________________________________________ 13
12. Chhau dance _____________________________________________________________________________________ 13
Paper 1 Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant
events, personalities, issues. ___________________________________________________________________ 14
Why is Maharashtra on the boil? _______________________________________________________________________ 14
Paper 1 Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. _____________________________________ 14
Haj subsidy _________________________________________________________________________________________ 14
Paper 1 Topic: Role of women and women’s organization. ____________________________________________ 15
1. Online portal ‘NARI’ ________________________________________________________________________________ 15
2. Iceland becomes first country to legalise equal pay ______________________________________________________ 15
3. Haryana becomes first state to launch High Risk Pregnancy portal __________________________________________ 16
4. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) ___________________________________________________ 16
5. INSV Tarini _______________________________________________________________________________________ 17
6. Stree Swabhiman Initiative __________________________________________________________________________ 18
Paper 1 Topic: Population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems
and their remedies. __________________________________________________________________________ 19
1. Arunachal declared open defecation-free State _________________________________________________________ 19
2. Urban heat island __________________________________________________________________________________ 20
3. Government names nine new smart cities ______________________________________________________________ 20
4. Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities ______________________________________________________________ 21
5. ‘Reward Work, Not Wealth’ report ___________________________________________________________________ 22
Paper 1 Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography. ________________________________________ 22
‘Perihelion’: Earth closest to sun ________________________________________________________________________ 22
Paper 1 Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc. _ 23
1. “Bomb Cyclone” ___________________________________________________________________________________ 23
2. Ozone layer hole __________________________________________________________________________________ 24
Paper 1 Topic: Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features. ___________ 25
Havre ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 25
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Paper 1 Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-
continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts
of the world (including India). __________________________________________________________________ 25
Nuna ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 25
GS PAPER - II __________________________________________________________________________ 26
Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and
basic structure. ______________________________________________________________________________ 26
1. No viable alternative to hanging, Centre tells court ______________________________________________________ 26
2. Republic Day 2018 _________________________________________________________________________________ 27
Paper 2 Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges
and issues arising out of these. _________________________________________________________________ 27
1. All India Whips’ Conference _________________________________________________________________________ 27
Paper 2 Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the
federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. _______________ 28
Mahadayi row_______________________________________________________________________________________ 28
Paper 2 Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. ___________________________________ 29
Model code _________________________________________________________________________________________ 29
Paper 2 Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies. ________________________________________________________________________ 29
1. Election Commission recommends disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs ________________________________________ 29
2. President of India appoints Governor of Madhya Pradesh _________________________________________________ 30
3. National Voters Day ________________________________________________________________________________ 30
Paper 2 Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. __________________________________ 31
1. Telecom ombudsman_______________________________________________________________________________ 31
2. Brahmaputra Board ________________________________________________________________________________ 32
3. President appoints Vinay Sahasrabuddhe as ICCR President _______________________________________________ 32
4. TRAI issues interconnect rules _______________________________________________________________________ 33
5. Council for Trade Development and Promotion _________________________________________________________ 33
6. Central Water Commission __________________________________________________________________________ 34
7. The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) ________________ 34
8. National Trust _____________________________________________________________________________________ 35
9. Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) ____________________________________________________________ 36
10. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) ___________________________________________________________________ 37
11. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) ______________________________________________________ 37
12. Nodal agency to fight malnutrition ___________________________________________________________________ 38
Paper 2 Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and
betterment of these vulnerable sections. __________________________________________________________ 38
1. Maharashtra govt rolls out 1% reservation for orphans ___________________________________________________ 38
2. Accessible India Campaign __________________________________________________________________________ 39
3. ‘Jiyo Parsi’ scheme _________________________________________________________________________________ 40
4. ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 40
5. NHFDC ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 41
6. Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) ___________________________________________________________ 41
7. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment scheme _________________________________________ 42
8. Rapid Reporting System for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls ______________________________________________ 42
9. Shram Awards ____________________________________________________________________________________ 43
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10. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) __________________________________________________________________________ 43
11. Quota For Acid Attack Survivors, People With Disability In Govt. Jobs ______________________________________ 44
Paper 2 Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of
their design and implementation. _______________________________________________________________ 44
1. National Register of Citizens _________________________________________________________________________ 44
2. OCI and PIO cards __________________________________________________________________________________ 45
3. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Surakhsa Yojna (PMSSY) ______________________________________________________ 46
4. BharatNet ________________________________________________________________________________________ 46
5. Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme ________________________________________________ 47
6. North Koel Reservoir Project _________________________________________________________________________ 47
7. Monuments Bill ___________________________________________________________________________________ 48
Paper 2 Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
Education, Human Resources. __________________________________________________________________ 49
1. Swine flu _________________________________________________________________________________________ 49
2. Typbar TCV _______________________________________________________________________________________ 49
3. Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 (GES-2017) _______________________________________________________ 50
4. H5 Avian Influenza _________________________________________________________________________________ 50
5. Kerala’s fight against AMR __________________________________________________________________________ 51
6. Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) ______________________________________________________ 51
7. Supreme Court sets aside order cancelling larger tobacco health warnings ___________________________________ 52
8. Kala Azar _________________________________________________________________________________________ 53
9. Tourette Syndrome ________________________________________________________________________________ 53
10. Global Talent Competitiveness Index _________________________________________________________________ 54
11. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) ____________________________________________________________________ 55
12. Pulse polio programme ____________________________________________________________________________ 56
Paper 2 Topic: Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. ____________________________________ 56
1. Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) Program __________________________________________________ 56
2. Anganwadi Services Training Programme ______________________________________________________________ 57
3. ‘Maitreyi Yatra’____________________________________________________________________________________ 57
4. Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project ______________________________________________________________ 58
Paper 2 Topic: Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. ________________ 58
“Res extra commercium” ______________________________________________________________________________ 58
Paper 2 Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance-applications,
models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and
other measures. _____________________________________________________________________________ 59
1. e-Samvad ________________________________________________________________________________________ 59
2. Govt notifies electoral bonds to replace cash donations to political parties __________________________________ 59
3. e-Sansad and e-Vidhan _____________________________________________________________________________ 60
4. SFOORTI Application _______________________________________________________________________________ 60
Paper 2 Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations. _______________________________________________ 61
1. India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations _____________________________________________________ 61
2. China develops underwater surveillance networks in Indian Ocean, South China Sea __________________________ 61
3. National Knowledge Network (NKN) __________________________________________________________________ 62
4. Nepal ends India’s monopoly on internet access with new Chinese link _____________________________________ 63
5. BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement _____________________________________________________________________ 63
6. VINBAX __________________________________________________________________________________________ 64
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7. CPEC ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 64
8. Thar Link Express __________________________________________________________________________________ 64
Paper 2 Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s
interests. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 65
1. ‘Vajra Prahar’ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 65
2. Raisina Dialogue 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ 65
3. 10th Global Forum for Food & Agriculture ______________________________________________________________ 66
4. Budapest Convention on cyber security ________________________________________________________________ 66
5. International Solar Alliance __________________________________________________________________________ 67
6. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ___________________________________________________ 67
7. Delhi Declaration __________________________________________________________________________________ 68
8. AAI, Lao PDR sign civil aviation cooperation agreement __________________________________________________ 68
Paper 2 Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora. __________________________________________________________________________________ 69
1. H-1B visa _________________________________________________________________________________________ 69
2. US puts Pakistan on Special Watch List ________________________________________________________________ 70
3. “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) ________________________________________________________________ 70
4. ASEAN India Pravasi Bharatiya _______________________________________________________________________ 71
5. India rejects US solar claim at WTO, explores new defence ________________________________________________ 71
6. Inclusive Development Index ________________________________________________________________________ 72
7. China releases Arctic Policy __________________________________________________________________________ 73
Paper 2 Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. _____________ 73
1. Official languages of the UN _________________________________________________________________________ 73
2. World Energy and Environment Conference ____________________________________________________________ 74
3. UN Environment Management Group _________________________________________________________________ 75
4. Australia Group ___________________________________________________________________________________ 75
5. India is world’s 3rd largest steel producer ______________________________________________________________ 76
6. Difficult Dialogues forum ____________________________________________________________________________ 76
GS PAPER - III _________________________________________________________________________ 77
Paper 3 Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development
and employment. ____________________________________________________________________________ 77
1. NABARD Bill ______________________________________________________________________________________ 77
2. Financial Sector Assessment Program _________________________________________________________________ 77
3. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) ______________________________________________________________________ 78
Paper 3 Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial
growth. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 79
1. FDI policy further liberalized in key sectors _____________________________________________________________ 79
2. Global Manufacturing Index (WEF) ____________________________________________________________________ 80
Paper 3 Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and
irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-
technology in the aid of farmers. ________________________________________________________________ 81
1. Centre to declare 2018 as ‘national year of millets’ ______________________________________________________ 81
3. Zero Budget Natural Farming project __________________________________________________________________ 81
Paper 3 Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution
System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology
missions; economics of animal-rearing. ___________________________________________________________ 82
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) _________________________________________________________ 82
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Paper 3 Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. ______________________________ 82
1. Zojila Pass tunnel __________________________________________________________________________________ 82
2. National Waterway-1 _______________________________________________________________________________ 83
3. Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Index _____________________________________________________ 84
4. MoU with Transport for London ______________________________________________________________________ 85
5. ‘Nirman Samvaad’ _________________________________________________________________________________ 85
6. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) ______________________________________________________ 86
7. UDAN-2 __________________________________________________________________________________________ 87
8. Solar capacity reaches 20 GW on Govt. push ____________________________________________________________ 87
Paper 3 Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. _ 88
1. Bio-toilet project __________________________________________________________________________________ 88
2. India unveils Pratyush, its fastest Supercomputer yet ____________________________________________________ 88
3. India test-fires nuclear-capable ICBM Agni-V ___________________________________________________________ 88
4. New programmes of DST and SERB for young scientists and researchers _____________________________________ 89
5. Scorpene-class submarine Karanj _____________________________________________________________________ 90
Paper 3 Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and
issues relating to intellectual property rights. ______________________________________________________ 90
1. Parker solar probe _________________________________________________________________________________ 90
2. World’s first ‘speed breeding’ technique to boost production of wheat ______________________________________ 91
3. Astronauts Identify Unknown Microbes In Space For First Time ____________________________________________ 91
4. China to be world’s first country to launch a lunar probe on far side of moon ________________________________ 92
5. NASA launches 2 missions to explore nearest space ______________________________________________________ 93
6. Ethereum ________________________________________________________________________________________ 93
7. What happens to the human body in space? ____________________________________________________________ 93
8. ISRO Launches Its 100th Satellite _____________________________________________________________________ 94
9. BeiDou ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 95
10. SPARCS _________________________________________________________________________________________ 95
11. James Webb Space Telescope _______________________________________________________________________ 96
12. Chandrayaan-2 ___________________________________________________________________________________ 96
13. Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology _____________________________________________ 97
14. ‘IPrism’ _________________________________________________________________________________________ 98
15. Maharashtra unveils Public cloud policy ______________________________________________________________ 98
16. iCreate __________________________________________________________________________________________ 99
17. 2002 AJ129 ______________________________________________________________________________________ 99
18. Kilopower _______________________________________________________________________________________ 99
19. IndAS __________________________________________________________________________________________ 100
20. Parker Solar Probe _______________________________________________________________________________ 100
21. Global-Scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) ________________________________________________ 102
22. Scientists clone monkeys __________________________________________________________________________ 102
23. RemoveDebris __________________________________________________________________________________ 103
24. NASA Fund Researches the Potential of Blockchain Technology in Space ___________________________________ 103
25. Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) science satellite __________________________ 104
26. 60th anniversary of first US satellite into space _______________________________________________________ 105
27. India commissions high performance computer system Mihir ___________________________________________ 105

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Paper 3 Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. ___ 105
1. Retrotransposons _________________________________________________________________________________ 105
2. Latte levy _______________________________________________________________________________________ 106
3. Mankidia denied habitat in Simlipal __________________________________________________________________ 106
4. Territorial Army battalion of ex-Armymen to clean Ganga _______________________________________________ 107
5. Microbeads ban takes effect ________________________________________________________________________ 107
6. Chiru goat _______________________________________________________________________________________ 108
7. Sikkim allows people to forge fraternal ties with trees __________________________________________________ 109
8. The 25 Year Environment Plan ______________________________________________________________________ 110
9. Microwaves could be as bad for the environment as cars, finds new research _______________________________ 111
10. Automated moorings _____________________________________________________________________________ 111
11. Campaign to save Reef from starfish ________________________________________________________________ 112
12. ‘Himalayan Research Fellowships scheme’ ___________________________________________________________ 112
13. Environmental Performance Index (WEF) ____________________________________________________________ 113
Paper 3 Topic: Disaster and disaster management. ________________________________________________ 114
1. Indian Railways conceives to deploy “Drone” cameras __________________________________________________ 114
2. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) _____________________________________________________________ 115
3. International Dam Safety Conference ________________________________________________________________ 116
Paper 3 Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with
terrorism. _________________________________________________________________________________ 116
1. Nagaland declared as ‘disturbed area’ for 6 more months ________________________________________________ 116
2. Indo-Myanmar agreement on land border crossing _____________________________________________________ 117
3. Villagers along India-Myanmar international border to get passes _________________________________________ 117
Paper 3 Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. _ 118
1. Cryptocurrencies are a Ponzi scheme, warns FinMin ____________________________________________________ 118
2. UIDAI introduces 2-tier security to shield Aadhaar data __________________________________________________ 119
3. Cyber Crime Coordination Centre ____________________________________________________________________ 119
4. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) __________________________________________________ 120
5. Cyber Surakshit Bharat ____________________________________________________________________________ 120
6. Global Centre for Cybersecurity _____________________________________________________________________ 121
7. Cybercrime coordination centre _____________________________________________________________________ 121
Facts for Prelims ______________________________________________________________________ 122
1. New night frog species _____________________________________________________________________________ 122
2. Two new Ginger species found in the northeast ________________________________________________________ 122
3. India’s second-largest rooftop solar plant _____________________________________________________________ 122
4. In A First, Saudi Arabia, UAE Introduce VAT____________________________________________________________ 123
5. China starts collecting environment tax _______________________________________________________________ 123
6. GI recognition: Famed Nilambur teak_________________________________________________________________ 123
7. Species we lost in 2017 and the ones that managed to hold on ___________________________________________ 123
8. India’s second FTII to be set up in Arunachal ___________________________________________________________ 123
9. Zuma Mission ____________________________________________________________________________________ 124
10. Ancient Rock Art in India Is Oldest Depiction of Supernova ______________________________________________ 124
11. Matunga Railway Station _________________________________________________________________________ 124
12. International Dharma-Dhamma Conference __________________________________________________________ 124
13. Goa bird festival _________________________________________________________________________________ 124
14. ‘Charlie-435’ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 124
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15. ‘Rajyapal —Vikas Ke Rajdoot: Catalytic Role of Governors as Agents for Change in Society’ ___________________ 125
16. In a first, collegium selects woman advocate for SC judge _______________________________________________ 125
17. Saksham-2018 __________________________________________________________________________________ 125
18. Giant extinct bat burrowing bat fossil discovered in New Zealand ________________________________________ 125
19. INS Nirbhik, Nirghat decommissioned _______________________________________________________________ 125
20. Rizhao _________________________________________________________________________________________ 125
21. Zygaenid _______________________________________________________________________________________ 126
22. Country’s First Agri-commodity Options Contracts in Guar Seed __________________________________________ 126
23. World environment award 2018 ____________________________________________________________________ 126
24. World’s largest air purifier ________________________________________________________________________ 126
25. Romania to have first female prime minister _________________________________________________________ 126
26. SBIRS GEO Flight 4 satellite ________________________________________________________________________ 126
27. Coast Guard patrol vessel Vijaya ___________________________________________________________________ 126
28. Mercedes unveils India’s first, locally made BS-VI car __________________________________________________ 127
29. WORLD FIRST FULLY-PRIVATE SATELLITE LAUNCH _____________________________________________________ 127
30. Agriculture Ministers’ Conference __________________________________________________________________ 127
31. Bharat Parv _____________________________________________________________________________________ 127
32. SARAS PT1N ____________________________________________________________________________________ 127
33. Padma awards __________________________________________________________________________________ 127
34. First India-designed vaccine passes WHO test _________________________________________________________ 128
35. India’s first floating market in Kolkata _______________________________________________________________ 128
36. “Beating the Retreat” Ceremony ___________________________________________________________________ 128
37. Red handfish ____________________________________________________________________________________ 128
38. Nilgiri Marten ___________________________________________________________________________________ 128

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GS PAPER - I

Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times.
1. Jangalmahal Utsab
Context: Jangalmahal Utsab was recently inaugurated at the Jhargam district in West Bengal.
About the festival:
The festival is organised in the state to promote tribal art and culture. Different folk songs and dances such as Tusu,
Bhadu, Ahira and Jhumur are performed by the locals of the Jangalmahal area during the festival.
Facts for Prelims:
The world Junglemahal is used to refer four districts of the state — Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram and West Midnapore.
These four districts were once affected by Maoist insurgency.
Sources: toi.

2. Jal Mahotsav
Context: India’s biggest water carnival through ‘Jal Mahotsav’ is
organised every year in Hanuwantiya Island in Madhya Pradesh. The third
such ‘Jal Mahotsav’ concluded this year on January 2.
About Jal Mahotsav:
What is it? The festival, held between October and January, is a
celebration of Madhya Pradesh’s natural beauty and its culture. It is also
a great place to try out a variety of adventure sports like parasailing,
paramotoring, water zorbing, and many others. The festival also
represents the culture of Madhya Pradesh – a culture that stands for rich
skill set of its artisans and rich heritage.
Where is it held? Hanuwantiya Island, located on the banks of the Indira Sagar dam in Madhya Pradesh, plays host to
India’s largest water carnival – Jal Mahotsav.
Sources: the hindu.

3. 26th World Book Fair
Context: The 26th edition of the annual book fair will be held in New Delhi.
Theme: ‘Environment and Climate Change’.
Guest of honour country: This year’s book fair will host European Union as the Guest of Honour Country.
Organizers: Organised by National Book Trust, in association with ITPO.
About the fair: New Delhi World Book Fair is not just an opportunity for a reader but it also provides a huge platform
to the publishers who exhibit their numerous books at the event. Starting from 200 participants in 1972 the number
of participants has gone up to 886 by 2016. The theme of the 2017 edition was -“Writings on Women by Women”.
Sources: toi.

4. Medaram’s Jatara
Context:
Central government is likely to declare Medaram’s Sammakka-Sarakka/Saralamma Jatara a national festival this year.
Once declared a national festival, Jatara can be considered for ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ tag of United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
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